The Grand Theft Auto series has certainly given us plenty of interesting and engaging storylines over the years. While the games are primarily known for their open-world exploration and freedom of choice, their narratives are whatcement them as all-time classicsand leave an enduring legacy in the hearts and minds of their players.
Whether its CJ’s troubled return to Grove Street or Niko Bellic’s struggle as an immigrant in Liberty City, each game has brought us a unique story with its own cast of memorable characters and events.
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Several spin-offs and DLCs, such as the Episodes of Liberty City, also tell deep and meaningful stories despite their shorter length.
While the later games inevitably have an advantage over the earlier onesdue to the tools available to developers, some of the early games still hold their own and even surpass the more recent titles in terms of narrative quality.
10Grand Theft Auto 3
Relatively Basic But Does The Job
Grand Theft Auto 3
As the first 3D open-world GTA game, GTA 3 certainly deserves a lot of credit for the way it revolutionized the series. While the story is relatively bare-bones, it is still interesting enough and centers around the protagonist, Claude, as he seeks to get revenge on his wife, whobetrayed him following a successful bank robbery.
The narrative involves some interesting characters such as mafia boss Salvatore Leone, Yakuza operative Asuka Kasen and the eccentric property tycoon, Donald Love.
The story is decent enough but feels a little disjointed at times, and certain moments that perhaps should have been more dramatic are glossed over quite quickly.
Nonetheless, the motivation of getting revenge against Catalina is enough to push Claude through all trials and tribulations, even if he never says a word while doing so.
9Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
One Of The More Unique GTA Stories
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
GTA: Chinatown Wars is one of the more unique and underappreciated titles in the series. Centered around Huang Lee as he returns to Liberty City after the death of his father and clan leader, it isa tale of revenge with a very specific cultural influence- much like GTA 4’s main story.
While the gameplay is reminiscent of the earlier top-down titles, the story remains just as solid as any other entry in the series. It is presented in a visual novel format rather than fully animated cutscenes, but this works to its advantage by presenting some detailed and memorable character designs.
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With betrayal, politics, tradition and violence at the forefront, combined with Rockstar’s unique sense of crude humor, GTA: Chinatown Wars tells a gripping story with plenty of emotional and unexpected moments.
Despite its focus on Chinatown and the Asian gangs in the area, the story takes Huang all across Liberty City and even references characters and events from GTA 4 and the Episodes of Liberty City DLC.
8Grand Theft Auto 5
Somewhat Disjointed But Highly Cinematic
Grand Theft Auto 5
Grand Theft Auto 5 arguably has one of the weakest stories in the series, although it is largely unnoticed due to the great mission design, environment, and exceptional level of immersive detail.
Split across three protagonists, Michael, Trevor, and Franklin, the story is somewhat disjointed and nonsensical at points, but it is loosely tied together through the fact that Michael and Trevor once robbed banks together.
None of the characters quite have the same depth as those in GTA 4 or San Andreas, which makes the majority of the game’s actual narrative content quite forgettable. Although the ending can be emotional depending on the player’s choices, the blow is largely softened by the multi-protagonist mechanic anyway.
GTA 5 is still a great game for many reasons, butthe narrative falls short aside from the odd moments. Michael’s family drama and Trevor’s unhinged insanity are probably the highlights, along with the heist missions, which can be very atmospheric.
7Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
A Story Worthy Of Its Setting
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
Set in 1984, two years prior to the events of GTA: Vice City, Vice City Stories is a smaller spin-off game centered around Victor Vance, brother of Lance Vance from the main game.
As a corporal in the US Army, Victor has to attempt to balance his duties with his life of crime, with the latter inevitably taking over as his main occupation. The story also involves familiar characters such as Phil Cassidy and the Forelli Family, along with Tommy Vercetti himself who cameos towards the end.
Much like the main Vice City game, Vice City Stories has players setting up their own crime family byoccupying illicit businesses and completing missions for the owners.
Overall, the story is a great prequel to the events of Vice City and will certainly appeal to fans of the main game. Despite its age, the story is still surprisingly good and makes good use of some iconic characters.
6Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
A Dramatic Tale Of Mob Life
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
GTA: Liberty City Stories is one of the more beloved classic titles in the series, and for good reason. The story follows Toni Cipriani who, upon returning to Liberty City after murdering a mafia boss, becomes embroiled once again in mob life.
Working for the Leone family in the midst of a city-wide gang war between three factions, Tony must deal with a range of untrustworthy characters andengage in illegal activities to make a name for himself.
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Whether it’s smuggling, thieving, or murdering, these games throw players into the world of the original American gangsters.
Unlike other GTA games, Liberty City Stories has a more complex narrative where it’s not always clear who is right and who is wrong. As a result, there are several unexpected twists along the way.
The game also features some recognizable characters from GTA 3 and Vice City, such as Salvatore Leone, Avery Carrington and Donald Love, who has an interesting, politically-themed storyline.
5Grand Theft Auto 4: The Lost & Damned
An Underrated & Insightful Tale
Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City
GTA 4’s Lost and Damned DLC is arguably the most underrated title in the series. Focusing on Johnny Klebitz, the second-in-command of the Lost Motorcycle Club, the story is very cohesive and full of emotional moments, including betrayal, manipulation, vengeance, and tragedy.
The story begins with the release of gang boss Billy Grey from prison, which immediately presents an interesting dynamic and conflict between him and Johnny.
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What makes the characters in the Lost and Damned so good is their depth. Each character has good and bad traits, making it unclear exactly who you should trust and who you should not.
The story also ties in heavily with the events of GTA 4’s main story and features cameos from characters such as Niko, Ashley, and slimy Ray Boccino. Though notthe longest or most complex narrative, The Lost and Damned is a very memorable story that will stick with you long after having finished it.
4Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
It Doesn’t Get More Gangster
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City
After a high-profile drug deal goes wrong, Tommy Vercetti is left indebted to the notorious Forelli crime family and must work a range of jobs to pay them off. Whether it’s for the wealthy kingpin Colonel Cortez or the drug-addled British band Love Fist, Tommy does what he can to help those who can help him.
While much of the gamerevolves around the individual businesses in the city and how Tommy can utilize them,the story itself is also full of twists and turns, albeit lacking the emotional punch of somelater games.
Vercetti is a cool, calm protagonist and always appears to be one step ahead of his rivals. The setting of Vice City also lends itself to a number of memorable missions, including yacht rides and a car chase around a golf course.
Taking inspiration from classic 80s movies like Scarface and the Miami Vice TV series, Vice City lives up to expectations and represents a huge step forward when compared to GTA 3.
Equal Parts Tragedy & Comedy
The second installment of GTA4’s Episodes of Liberty City DLC, The Ballad of Gay Tony, centers around the criminal underworld of Liberty City’s nightlife and club scene.
As Dominican bouncer Luis Lopez, you’ll be Tony’s right-hand man as he seeks to assert his dominance over rival club owners and pay off his debts to the mafia. The story is full of brilliant characters, locations, and missions, making it arguably one of the most fun installments in the entire series.
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These locations will give players plenty of reasons to explore the open worlds of the GTA series.
The Ballad of Gay Tonyalso has a dark side, featuring plenty ofviolence and depravity alongsideits more glamorous aspects. While Luis himself might not be the deepest protagonist, Tony and Yusuf Amir are among the best side characters in the franchise.
The story has great tempo and high stakes, even if it is not the longest. The abundance of new side activities, vehicles, and weapons also makes it worth staying around even after the story is completed.
2Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
An Epic Adventure Across Three Cities
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
GTA: San Andreas is, for many players, the most beloved title in the series. ThisPS2 classic takes place in Los Santos, but also the surrounding counties and the cities of San Fierro and Las Venturas.
When his mother is killed amidst a bloody gang rivalry, CJ returns from Liberty City to take up arms alongside his former gang-mates. The story goes well beyond simple gang warfare, though, and soon CJ finds himself embroiled with crooked cops, eccentric pimps and even members of the Chinese Triads.
Although things might get a little bit surreal towards the end of the game as CJ is able to fly jetpacks and dogfight in stealth airplanes, it doesn’t detract from the main narrative in any way.
The unique bonds between different members of the gang, as well as other side characters like Cesar and The Truth, help to make GTA: San Andreasone of the most memorable games in the series.
1Grand Theft Auto 4
A Gritty But Heartwarming Tale
Grand Theft Auto 4
GTA 4 is undoubtedly the deepest game in the series and arguably also has the best cast of characters. With themes of family, revenge, and an immigrant’s struggle to settle in a new country,GTA 4 is incredibly rich in its narrative from start to finish.
The story is dark and brutal at times, but also has its fair share of heartwarming moments. Niko is a complex protagonist in an equally complex situation, which effectively helps players become invested in his journey.
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Excellence from nightclubs and bank robberies to car chases and gunfights.
From serving as a low-level henchman in Russian and Georgian gangs, Niko works his way up until eventually he is dealing with some of the biggest players in Liberty City, from the Jewish and Italian mobs to undercover FIB agents.
Unlike some of the other titles, nothing in GTA 4’s main story feels ridiculously over-the-top or forced for the sake of creating a dramatic spectacle. Nonetheless, it manages to stay entertaining throughout and hasa choice of two different endings.
